Universal Design Is Good For The Whole Family And Enhances Resale Value Universal Design Is Good For The Whole Family And Enhances Resale Value By Jana Ward By the year 2030, one-third of Americans will be retired. And many of them may choose to leave their homes because they no longer serve their needs. But "universal designs" that meet the needs of most buyers throughout their lifetime—homes designed for aging in place—can help alleviate this problem. Using universal design can make homes more usable and marketable for all home buyers. In fact, builders are finding that even younger buyers are looking for homes with accessible first-floor suites for older relatives and weekend guests—rooms that can serve as a home for older parents who come to live with them in the future, too. Universal design features increase usability for everyone—young and old, with and without disabilities. Such features as curb cuts, ramps, low thresholds and low-pile carpeting make moving a wheelchair easier, but also are advantageous for children riding tricycles, parents pushing strollers, older people using motorized scooters, movers wheeling dollies and handcarts and travelers pulling heavy suitcases in and out of homes. But there’s more to universal design than eliminating staircases. Touring a home with universal-design features, a visitor would recognize numerous differences from an ordinary house right away. On the exterior of homes, low-slope walkways and driveways, ramps with railings, and low thresholds at doorways, on decks and on porches make entry easier for everyone. A higher garage door accommodates the raised vans that are gaining in popularity today. Good overall lighting—especially on stairs to improve the contrast between treads and risers—is beneficial for people with impaired vision and improves nighttime security. Inside the house, doors and walkways are three feet wide. Intercom systems can save steps and make communication easier for everyone, particularly with volume controls for the hearing-impaired. Doorknobs are replaced by levers; electrical receptacles, thermostats and other controls are installed 15 to 48 inches above floor; and dual peepholes are installed at different heights. Universal-design kitchens feature refrigerators with side-by-side doors, making freezer space more accessible for children, people of different heights and those using wheelchairs. For the same reason, shallow pantries offer useful storage. Cabinets with drawers and lazy-susan inserts are a great convenience to wheelchair users, and pull-down shelves in wall cabinets reduce bending and stretching, especially important for people with limited shoulder mobility. In the bathroom, grab bars around the tub and shower are helpful for all bathers getting in and out. Hand-held shower sprays are convenient for people who sit while showering in addition to those bathing small children and dogs. Grab bars and raised toilets with armrests provide assistance to older people and wheelchair users. Lower mirrors and sink counters, the latter with knee space under the sink for wheelchair users, are easier for children to use as well. Finally, a little extra floor space comes in handy when turning a wheelchair or when more than one person is using the bathroom. Universal-design bedrooms allow a three-foot aisle around the bed. They often feature bypass closet doors at least 32 inches wide that don’t encroach on the aisle. Double closet poles at 36 and 72 inches off the ground are more easily reached by children and wheelchair users, and this strategy doubles storage space for shirts, trousers and jackets. If you’re thinking about buying a house or planning to renovate, consider the advantages of a home with universal-design features. The National Association of Homebuilders now offers remodelors a certification program specifically for universal design. The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation is the result of the work of the Remodelors Council -- in conjunction with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB Seniors Housing Council and AARP. The three-day training program equips graduates with the technical and customer service skills required to effectively service the burgeoning market for aging-in-place home modifications. Call GSABA at 696-3800 for free copies of the Remodelors Directory and the brochure “How to Choose a Remodelor.” Jana Ward, of Clear Choice Flooring and Design, is President of the Greater San Antonio Builders Association Remodelor's Council.